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Sogrange rose to his feet. "Well," he said, "I am not inclined to bear malice, but you must understand this from me, Philip Burr. As a society I dissolve you. I deprive you of your title and of your signs. Call yourself what you will, but never again mention the name of the 'Double Four. With us in Europe another era has dawned. We are on the side of law and order.
Read it out to me." Peter took it into his hand and turned it over. A quick exclamation escaped him. "Great heavens! 'The Count von Hern' Bernadine!" "Just so," Sogrange assented. "Nice, clear writing, isn't it?" Peter sat bolt upright in his chair. "Do you mean to say that Bernadine is on board?" Sogrange shook his head.
Use it for the common good. And remember this: the Double Four has never failed, the Double Four can never fail." "I am glad to hear you are so confident," Peter Ruff said. "Of course, if I have to take this thing on I shall do my best; but, if I might venture to allude for a moment to anything so trifling as my own domestic affairs, I am very anxious to know about my wife." Sogrange smiled.
His lips, when they parted from his white teeth, resolved themselves into lines which at that moment seemed to Peter Ruff more menacing than mirthful. Sogrange was, in many ways, a man of remarkable appearance. "Oh, Peter Ruff," he said, "you are a bourgeois little person! You should have been the burgomaster in a little German town, or a French mayor with a chain about your neck. We will see.
That young cove right opposite to you is one of the best known sneak-thieves in the city. You're asking for trouble that way." "If he or any other of them want my watch," Sogrange answered calmly, "let them come and fetch it. However," he added, buttoning up his coat, "no doubt you are right. Is there anywhere else to take us?" The man hesitated.
"It has been my misfortune, Marquis," he said, "never to have made your acquaintance, although our mutual friends are many, and I think I may say that I have the right to claim a certain amount of consideration from you and your associates. You know me?" "Certainly, Prince," Sogrange replied. "I am charmed. Permit me to present my friend, the Baron de Grost."
"It is only fair to remember," Sogrange reminded him, "that the Baroness herself told us that there were no other save men-servants here and that they were all spies. Without a master, I cannot see that they are dangerous. One needs, however, to watch all the time." "If you see anything suspicious," Peter said, "tap the table with your forefinger.
For the rest, Peter received, with much satisfaction, a remarkably handsome signet ring, bearing some famous arms, and a telegram from Sogrange: "Well done, Baron! May the successful termination of your enterprise nerve you for the greater undertaking which is close at hand. I leave for London by the night train.
Unless I can discover a little more than I do now, to-morrow is going to be an exceedingly awkward day for me." "There is every prospect of your acquiring a great deal of valuable information before then," Sogrange declared. "Sit tight, my friend. Something is going to happen."
Peter whispered, under his breath. "You interest me," Sogrange replied. "May I know whom I have the honor of addressing?" "You can call me Burr," the man announced, "Philip Burr. Your names it is not our wish to know." "I am afraid I do not quite understand," Sogrange said. "It was scarcely to be expected that you should," Mr. Philip Burr admitted.
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